Track Tools with Barcode
Every contractor – electrical contractor, HVAC contractor, general construction contractor, utility service contractor, etc., - has a major investment in the tools of the trade. From a claw hammer, to a hilty, a ladder or a portable generator, each and every tool has a monetary value. Take into consideration that every contractor has not only one but probably several hundred tools, and that tool investment adds up quickly.
Generally, contractor tools are assigned to an employee, a sub-contractor, a particular jobsite or a business location. At least, that’s probably the intention. Often, tools simply seem to locate themselves – in someone’s trunk, someone’s locker, or perhaps someone’s home “office”. Employees also, simply squirrel away tools, because they’re concerned they won’t be available when they require them for a particular job.
Tracking tools can be a chore in many perspectives. The initial task of tagging the tools in some way to be identifiable can be challenging, and tedious. Often, employees may resent the procedure that needs to be put into place to manage tool inventory. They may view it as cumbersome – they simply want to have access to the tools they need for the job, and don’t want to be burdened with writing down each and every tool or description on paper for record keeping. Then, what happens when that paper gets eaten by the dog? Or, what happens when Joe drops the portable generator off at Sam’s worksite, and then forgets about it?
Fortunately, there is actually a good solution to this problem.
Use barcode to track tools! It’s quick, the process is intuitive, it’s accurate, and barcode software makes it very simple to implement. Go ahead and etch the part number on the tool if you must, but then slap a barcode label on it (yes, they will adhere to almost every type of material if the proper label adhesive is chosen), and hi ho, hi ho, off to work it goes.
The ROI on this investment can be as little as 3 months. By following these basic guidelines, any contractor can begin implementing a successful tool tracking barcode project and see a quick return – not only on the investment in the barcode software and barcode hardware, but also in the revenue gained by not having to replace tools that aren’t missing, and being able to hold employees accountable for the tools they’re assigned.
• Review Tool Inventory – Consider the number of employees, sub-contractors or jobsites involved, and estimate – if there isn’t actual documentation available – the number of tools in inventory.
• Determine how to best track each category of tool - Are some tool items consumable? These would be items such that, once used or assigned out, aren’t expected to be returned – items such as gloves, masks, screwdrivers, spray lubricants, etc. Are some tools to small to be individually tagged? There are eraser- sized 2D barcode labels available to tag very small items or to tag tools in a somewhat inconspicuous manner. However, it may be best to simply “bin” certain tools – placing a barcode label only on their storage location. Other tools can simply have their own unique barcode label or “license plate” for ID.
• Think about who is going to manage and maintain the tool tracking system - Will there be a central toolcrib location where an individual is responsible for assigning tools to employees or jobsite? Will each user be responsible in an “honor” system – checking out and checking in (returning) tools in the tool crib? Are tools stored in multiple facilities?
• Consider the barcode labels - Barcode labels are available in paper, polypropylene and metal; each is available with a variety of adhesives. They are available in a variety of sizes. They are available as “pre-printed” – you simply designate a starting sequence and quantity. They are also available as blank labels to print “on demand”.
• Consider the barcode hardware - If labels are printed “on demand”, a barcode printer and barcode label software will be required. That is, unless the barcode software purchased to manage the data includes an embedded barcode label designer. An additional piece of hardware required is (no mystery here) a barcode reader. Barcode scanners can be corded, attaching directly to a PC workstation – less cost. Barcode scanners can be mobile – a bit more cost: 1) direct connect via wireless and transmitting data real time to the host software, or 2) batch scanners used to gather data, then connected via communication cable and the information downloaded to the software host.
• Review Tool Tracking Barcode Software Solutions - This is somewhat of a niche market, so the tool tracking software solutions can be somewhat limited. However, there are enough choices to be made, that a careful review of the options will need to be made. Do you want to pay a yearly fee on a product after you’ve purchased it? Do you want to have to purchase a particular barcode software vendor’s barcode hardware? Do you want to maintain your own database, or have it web-hosted? Is the tool tracking software easy and intuitive to use, or is it simply complicated and confusing?
Will it provide you with the information and data that you need to manage your tool inventory?
• Take a look at GigaTrak’s Tool Tracking Barcode Solutions - Our tool tracking products include master tool templates, so you can be consistent in tool descriptions. They include the options to individually barcode label each tool – including separate asset and serial numbers. They include repair and maintenance information – keep tools maintained and in safe, usable condition. They provide a variety of reports on demand, including history on maintenance for auditing purposes. Log on and immediately know what tools require maintenance. Additionally, each of our tool tracking software products includes the option to print barcode labels “on demand” with our embedded barcode label designer.
Additionally, there are no hidden or ongoing fees required to keep our products running for you. A onetime purchase price, and the product is yours to use as long as it suites your purposes. We represent a variety of hardware barcode vendors, but if you have your own preference, we can work with you to use our tool tracking software with your barcode scanning hardware. We also offer database import options, if you’re considering changing over from your existing tool tracking barcode software.
GigaTrak Tool Tracking Barcode Solutions, call us to talk to an experienced GigaTrak Rep today @ 877-204-9237, or participate in an online webinar, and download a demo version of a tool tracking product of interest.
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